Brussels, 25/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas is deeply frustrated at member states' lack of hurry in putting in place the single European sky. He warned about saturation of the air sector and threatened legally binding measures if national governments do not get a move on. Since 2004, member states have had to put in place various measures to set up a pan-European air traffic control system by 2030. Most member states, however, have made very little, or no, effort to meet the requirements set for 2012. That was made clear by the progress reports published on Friday 25 November. Two key points for the completion of the single European sky are at stake: the performance system to improve the economic efficiency, capacity and delays in aviation (only Belgium, Denmark, Lithuania, Luxembourg and the Netherlands are up to speed), and functional air blocks (FABs). The European sky is to be divided into nine blocks to make flights more efficient, but only one, the Danish-Swedish FAB, has been fully put in place. “There is still a window of opportunity for member states to meet the challenge and achieve the objectives for 2012. But we will take measures, if necessary. The single sky is too important to fail”, said Kallas, suggesting legally binding measures, or even the re-opening of the legislative packages on the single European sky. There is a great deal at stake: cutting the cost of air traffic, and reducing fuel consumption caused by unnecessary detours, and so allowing the EU to save billions of euro and bringing improvements for passengers and freight. (MD/transl.rt)